This graph is a cynical manipulation of a series unlikely or implausible assumptions to allow a shift in policy towards the most vulnerable in our community. In addition there are different versions of this graph which seem to vary depending on the audience. It amazes me that people accept what they are spoon fed without actually questioning it in any detail.

I also emailed Sir Bob Kerslake as below to suggest he was relying on false data. By all means use a graph like that if you really want, but don’t let us pretend it is real so don’t label it with the name of a borough.

It is true that the cost of schooling and old people due to demographic change are going to put a strain on council budgets but patently mis-leading charts should not be given and credence by re-use.

I have had a twitter exchange with Sam Markey of Barnet Council today and he says that the chart was “to spark an important debate”. How strange and unhelpful then that the powerpoint presentation does not say as such.

If you watch this presentation by Councillor Thomas about the budget you don’t get the impression that the situation presented is entirely fictional and just for the purposes of stimulating debate. One is asked to make budget suggestions based upon the misleading presentation (not the councillor’s fault).

I am all for pictorial representation of possible scenarios but let’s have all the assumptions out in the open and a level playing field when it comes to both the income and expenditure. Income is shown as not changing in 20 years. It’s simply not credible that there will be no change, the borough is growing every year for a start.

In the spirit of transparency I should mention that I write the Mr Mustard blog ( which Eric Pickles MP was so kind as to mention last year in one of his speeches. ( http://lbbspending.blogspot.co.uk/ )).

I note your reference to Barnet Council’s Graph of Doom. I would like to point out that Barnet Council have agreed not to use this deeply unpleasant title. The fact that people are living longer is something to celebrate; it is not the fault of older people that some of them need care. The fact that in a recent consultation on older people’s services one client wrote “perhaps we should all be given a pill at a certain age. Would that solve your problem?” shows the pernicious effect of this kind of labelling.

You rightly point out that some people have questioned the assumptions behind the graph. In fact, some people have, despite FOI requests, found it impossible to establish the assumptions behind the graph. It is deeply flawed and should be buried.